Salsabeel back with Meydan win

Godolphin gained a third winner on the second 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival card when Salsabeel made a successful return to action in the Trophy Handicap over a mile on turf at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 18 January.

The four-year-old son of Exceed And Excel, having his first start for 249 days, was slow away and raced keenly early on.

He was settled 11th of the 16 runners by William Buick and began to make progress turning in. 

Salsabeel quickly moved into contention as the field entered the straight and he delivered a strong challenge before hitting the front just inside the final furlong.

He ran on well to hold off Hornsby’s effort by a length in a fast time of 1m 35.50s on ground described as good, with the front two clear of the others.

Charlie Appleby remarked: “Salsabeel was a bit fresh and keen tonight.

“He is a horse we have always felt has got some quality, but he is still a work in progress.

“Meydan suits him as it is a big galloping track and he is learning on the job.

“Hopefully, he will improve as the Carnival goes on. We will see how he comes out of this race – he had been off a long time before it – and then make plans.”

William Buick said: “Salsabeel is a horse everyone has held in high regard. 

“His last run was in the French 2,000 Guineas when he disappointed us a little bit, but he has had a long time off and came back in great shape.

“It was a strongly run race and we got a bit far back, but he went through the gears lovely and I thought he finished off the race really well. 

“He has still got a little bit to learn, but is for sure a horse to look forward to. I think he can improve in every way. 

“He is quite a big horse who has not had much racing and what he is doing at the moment is down to raw ability.”